Apparatus for forging parts showing important variations in their cross section



Dec. 19, 1950 F MELEY 2,534,613

APPARATUS FOR FORGING PARTS SHOWING IMPORTANT VARIATIONS IN THEIR CROSS SECTION Filed June 19, 1945 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 19, 1950 2,534,613

F. MELEY APPARATUS FOR FORGING PARTS SHOWING IMPORTANT VARIATIONS IN THEIR CROSS SECTION Filed June 19, 1945 '6 Sheets-Sheet 2 //7 Ve/Wbf'j' France/ls Me/eg,

1950 F. MELEY 2,534,613

APPARATUS FOR FORGING PARTS snowmc IMPORTANT VARIATIONS IN THEIR CROSS SECTION Filed June 19, 1945 6 Sheets-Sheet 14/ for/7 e! Dec. 19, 1950 F. MELEY 2,534,613

APPARATUS FOR FORGING PARTS snowmc; IMPORTANT VARIATIONS IN THEIR CROSS SECTION Filed June 19, 1945 e Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. 5

,7 frame yS Dec. 19 1950 Filed June 19, 1945 F. MELEY APPARATUS FOR FORGING PARTS SHOWING IMPORTANT VARIATIONS IN THEIR CROSS SECTION 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 (01 9)? for: fiance/5 (We /eg,

Dec. 19, 1950 F. MELEY 2,534,613

APPARATUS FOR FORGING PARTS snowmc IMPORTANT VARIATIONS IN THEIR CROSS SECTION Filed June 19, 1945 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 J 7 van for HffOF/Zgys Patented ec. 19 1950 APPARATUS FORGING PARTS SHOW- ING IMPORTANT VARIATIONS IN THEIR CROSS SECTION Francois Meley, Saint-Martin en Coailleux, France, assignor to Compagnie des Forges et Acieries de la Marine et dHomeconrt, Paris, France, a joint-stock corporation of France Application June 19, 1945, Serial No. 600,378 In France December 7, 1944 5 Claims. 1

My invention has for an object an apparatus designed to forge directly without reticulation (beetling) crank shafts in which the fibers of the metal are oriented in such manner that:

l. The axial zone of the original ingot coincidis with the neutral fibre of the finished forged par 2. The portions of the part submitted to the maximum strain correspond to the soundest parts of the original ingot.

3. The fibres of the metal are parallel to the outer surfaces of the parts.

This apparatus is to be used under a normal forging press. I start from a blank which may either (a) include swellings adapted to produce the wider portions of the part, which swellings are separated by throttled elements adapted to form the burnished portions of the part, whether eccentric or not, said blank being in this case forged progressively from point to point in one or severaloperations according to the number of these swellings (generally, each operation roduces the forging of a burnished portion and the two adjacent swellings or of a swelling and the two adjacent burnished portions), (b) or else be provided in the portions to be deformed during operation with any desired shape depending on the final shape to be obtained.

The so-called intermediate portions, whatever may be their position in the part, are those which i to be transformed to be submitted to the desired deformations during the forging operation. Thus the axial zone of the original ingot remains always in coincidence with the neutral fibre. As they come nearer together, the swages ensure in a simultaneous manner the longitudinal forging of the parts which are to beftr'ansformed and their transversal forging in the desired azimuth, which latter forging is obtained by means of a set of central swages.

The pressure to be exerted on the intermediate portion cannot, by reason of its very magnitude be obtained by the usual means of an accumulator. This pressure which is very high per square centimeter must be obtained by a system of loaded valves which allow the liquid contained in the cylinder corresponding to the swages to flow out under a predetermined pressure; this pressure depends on the size of the intermediate portions, the compressed surfaces of which are enclosed inside the swages and must be capable of supporting a pressure per square centimeter which is higher than that required for the deformation of the metal of the blank whereby the intermediate parts are not submitted during the forging operation to any deformation other than that allowed by the swages between which they are enclosed.

In the apparatus according to the invention,v

slopes integral with the central set of swages act on other slopes integral respectively with the extreme swages so as to associate the operative stroke of the extreme swages with that of the central set of swages.

The hollow swages, each constituted by two parts are adapted to house the intermediate parts of the blank located to either side of those which are submitted to operation, this housing being even such, in the case where eccentricity is to be provided, as will produce this eccentricity in the desired azimuth. Hydraulic pistons act on the swages for holding between their two cooperating parts, before and during the forging, the intermediate portions of the blank arranged to either side of those which are being forged. Another hydraulic piston acts similarly under the central swage so as to prevent any sliding or deformation of the central intermediate portion. Thus during this double movement, only the elements which are to suffer a deformation are submitted to forging; the intermediate portions between the latter elements or adjacent to same may be displaced but are not forged and retain their original size and shape whereby:

l. The axial zone of the original ingot remains in coincidence with the neutral fibre of the finished forged part.

2. The metal fibres are parallel to the outer surfaces.

' 3. The central intermediate portion is shifted exactly through the desired angular and longitudinal amount.

The apparatus in accordance with my invention shows a number of novel features, which will appear from the reading of following description. In said description reference is had to accompanying drawing which shows:

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view through the longitudinal axis of the apparatus.

Fig. 2 is a similar view with certain of the elee ments shown in a different position.

Fig, 3 is a cross-sectional view taken perpendicular to the view shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional View parallel to the view shown in Fig. 3 and passing through the swages.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on section line VV of Fig. 4 and Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view through the axis of a loaded valve.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a connecting element. I .7

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a half swage,

and

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the cradle carrying the lower half swage. I e

As shown in the drawings, the apparatus ac"- cording to the invention comprises a base I having slides upon which cradles 3 may slide. The base has mounted thereon a lower locking piston 4 which serves as a support for the lower central half swage I through the interme diary of a transverse element 4' to which are attached two return pistons I for the central lower half swage II). The base I has located therein thecylinders of the four lateral pistons 6 for the return of the sliding cradles 3 (see Fig.

A cross-bar 2 is secured to the upper part of the press. This cross-bar is provided with two piston's'5 for locking the upper half 'swageswhich are each formed of two portions I9, I9'-, upon the blank and four return pistons 8 for the half swage's. Each of the pistons 5 isassociatecl with two pistons 8 located'at both "sides. The three pistons are attached to a common element It (see Figs. 1, 2, and 4) and the longitudinal edges of this common element I6 slide in :a slide 22 which forms the cooperating edge of "the half swage I9 concerned. The .above arrangement permits the half swages to be "displaced transversely with relation to the upperpistons for the locking and the returning during the:forging. The cross-bar 2 also has four inclined slopes I1 and the upper central half swag'e II isffiXed to the center ofsuch cross-bar.

Each of the sliding cradles are-provided with two inclined slopes I8, I8 upon which the. 'inclined slopes I! of the cross-barl aresppr'iorted.

These two'c'radles receive the lower half swages which are each 'in two pieces '9, 9.. 'A circular key and two rectilinear keys 2], during the longitudinal forging of the'four'half swages 9, '9' and [9, I9 fix the latter to their respective cradles. The half 'swages 9 and I9 receive those portions of the blank which are located 'at the sides of the portion which is to 'form the elbow.

As shown in Fig. 1, one portion of the blank has already been forged 'while theother has'not.

For economical reasons each half swage is formed from two portions. The -external portion is invariable while the internal'portion varies according to the type of element tobefoig'ed.

Two distributors I2, I3 serve respectively for all the hydraulic control'means on the 'base of the press and for all'the'hydraulic control-means on the upper cross-bar 2.

Three exhaust valves I4 loaded by'an adjustablespring I5 constituted for'instance'as shown in Fig. 6 by a pile'of Belleville washers are respectively in communication withjthe three'hydraulic cylinders. They allow-an adjustment-of the pressure per unit of surface, beyond which the liquid contained in the hydraulic cylinder is exhausted whereby the forgingop'eration is allowed as given outhereinabove.

The apparatus according to my invention opcrates as follows: The prepared blank is placed on the apparatus in a manner such that the central intermediate portion separating two elemerits to heio'i'ge'd lie an front of and between the two central half swages l0 and II'. The elements to be forged in front of or to the rear of those undergoing the forging operation are held by the half-swa ges, between which the are fastened through the admission into the cylinder 5 of liquid under a pressure of the magnitude generally obtained in an accumulator.

The blank being thus fastened and the two half stE/ag'e's brought into contact with the centralfinterni'edia portion of the blank the communication between the cylinders 5 and the accumulator is closed and the forging press is set in operation. During operation, the volume of theoylinder 5 decreases and the liquid escapes only under the pressure required for opening the loaded valves i. e. under a pressure sufl ciently ighv f 'rfih 121: e. he v 1 l en; .o the termediate portions 'fastend between the 'swages during "operatidn This fo "7 Y rng i's "executedsimultaneously in the longitudinal direction and in the transversal direction by making the press under which the apparatus is located act through the associated p ay o the l s ,df gti e re s aria afl t slopes of 'the'cra'dls which are brought into con"- tact. o

As the steam "produced "the 1fight=hand and theleft-hand cradles are identicahthe metal is th e a'ck i ng tufiina i e rtr'mlsversely an there is 'obtai'nedafter operation an elbow such a -that shownjin'Fig. 2. U

Wedges arranged between the cro"ssebar and thecradles allowafteradjustment a limitation of the stroke and ensure for each eccentricity the n i The return into their'startirig pdsition of the different parts whichhfave fbeenset in movement isprovided'for hydraulically by the "different returnmoveniems. V I

'As illustrated, thei'i pfiailatus' according to the invention allows, 1 way oijexamplefand by no mea s in alimitat I thejexecution of 'b'e'nt shafts having a'plura oi'elbows'arranged'one with reference to the otherinany suitable a'n'gular 'piosition 'After 'forging 'a bend or cram; it is suing; t to begin 'operation dverfa ain with the blanklandto proceed with the forging of the followingjelbqfws, A I p i N 'ccording tothe' shape of the forged part, there are mounted on the sliq f zv'cradle adapted to carry and to fasjtemsaid parth'alf-fswages wherewith it is pdssie1eftqen1fese said part the (energetic fasteiiin'gof which ohtaln'ed through the action 6f thepistonsinthecylinder s. M 'rii 'sw ge I'I 'i x eu uponthe'uppe1-;moyab1e platf orrn of 'a foi'giiig press upon which is mounted the-apparatus which'isthebbject o'f'the p is tha I i I his p r q thereforelwith thisfplatforin. A's for the swag'e IIl thisis supportedby apiston I which slides in a hydrauliccylinderhoused in the base l of the ;ap paratu s, which base rests upon the lower fixed platform oi the'press. The cylinder of the piston 4 cornmilnicates with the .exterior'under'the control of an escape valve I4 (Figss3'ancl-fi) A When the upper-platform-of the-pressdescends the swag'e -I' I exercisesa transverse pressure upon the portion ofthe'blank which-iscaughtbetween it :and 'th'e'swa'ge 'I'U, :th'eswage I I "forces before it the said portion of the blank and the swage l5, which yields due to the pressure created in the cylinder of the piston 4 bringing about the raising of the valve l4 consequently the progressive escape of the liquid contained in said cylinder under the pressure for which the valve I4 is calibrated.

- Each of the valves l4, see Fig, 6, is contained in a cylindrical case whose bottom has a central neck 3| to which the case is fixed upon the cylinder of the piston 5, or joined to a conduit coming from the cylinder of the piston 4. The neck 3| is pierced with an axial conduit 32 which at its outlet at the bottom of the case 30 forms a seat 33 for the valve M. The case 30 has a lateral neck 34 for the exit of the liquid which the valve l4 allows to pass.

In this case 30 a recessed piston 35 may slide whose bottom rests upon the valve l4. This recessed piston encloses a spring [5 which, as shown, is formed by a pile of Belleville discs. In the central hole of the disc farthest from the valve I4 engages the central stud 36 of a threaded plug 31 which screws into a ring 38 closing the case 30. Upon its other face the plug 31 has a central extension 39, of square cross-section, which permits turning it with the aid of a key in order to regulate the power of the spring I5 and consequently the pressure at which the valve l4 may rise. A cover screwed upon the case 30 covers the plug 31 from which only the projection extends through an appropriate opening.

The swages ill and I l are moved from the position shown in Fig. 1 to the position of Fig. 2 by lowering the upper cross-bar 2 of the apparatus under the action of the press in which the apparatus is located, its base I resting upon a fixed portion of such press. This operates as the usual hydraulic forging press.

The hydraulic control system of the various pistons of the apparatus comprises simply valves which permit placing the corresponding cylinders either in communication with a fluid inlet under Pressure or an exhaust which is evident to any worker in this art.

The lower clamps are mounted in the base for sliding movement as follows. The lower clamps are not mounted directly in the base. They are each carried by a cradle 3 which rests upon a slide in the base. Fig. 9 shows one of the cradles 3 carrying a lower clamp. This cradle rests upon the slide of the base by the surfaces AA.

The lower clamps are returned under fiuid pressure as follows.

Fig. 5 shows the arrangement of the hydraulic pistons designed to return the cradles 3 carrying the lower clamps. It illustrates also the connecting means between the pistons and the cradles 3.

Fig. 4 shows the arrangement of the locking piston 5 and the recall pistons 8 of the upper clamp. See also Figs. 7 and 8.

Each upper clamp I9 is fixed in a block I9 whose upper face forms towards the rear an inclined slideway (Fig. 8). In this slideway is guided a slide (Fig. '7) to which is attached'the locking piston 5 at the central and the recall pistons 88 at both sides.

The upper clamps are connected to the upper cross bar 2 of the apparatus by the pistons 5 and l-B. At both sides of the pistons 88 the cross bar 2 forms two slopes I! which are in contact with the reverse slopes l8 upon the cradle 3 upon which is mounted the lower clamp, see Fig. 9.

when the cross bar 2 is lowered under the action 01' the press the right hand pair of clamps and the left hand pair of clamps upon Fig. I approach one another due to the action of the slopes ll of the cross bar upon the slopes I 8 of the cradles 3. 1

When the operation is finished the raising of the movable platform of the press is brought about by the usual means, then fluid under pressure is admitted in back of the recall pistons 6-45 of the cradles. These are again spaced from one another by raising the cross bar 2 through the action of the slopes I1 and I8 acting in'the opposite direction from the preceding.

The lower swage I0 is kept from lifting the blank off the lower Clamps before the upper swage becomes active as follows.

This is a question of operating the valves distributing the water under pressure in the cylinders of the locking pistons 5 of the upper clamps and not those of the piston l which return the element Ill upwardly. It is evident thatjone first locks the workpiece in the clamps by admitting fluid under pressure in back of the pistons 5. This same fluid is only admitted in back of the pistons 1 when the lowering of the upper cross bar 2 has placed the swage H in contact in its turn with the blank. Furthermore the pistons have a small cross-section and can only exercise a simple locking force.

The press which operates the apparatus does not constitute a part of the invention. It is simply a means for controlling the lowering of the cross.

bar 2,

The apparatus according to the invention may also be used for obtaining blanks comprising swellings or plates. It is suflicient to start with a cylindrical blank which is held by half-swages and is forged longitudinally by means of the sliding cradles which act alone, the central halfswages being removed.

Obviously the present invention should not be considered as limited to the form of execution shown, but it can, on the contrary, be executed in accordance with diiferent modifications the object of which may relate in particular to the means used for holding the blank during the forging. It may cover in particular an independent apparatus acting without the intervention of a forging press. Similarly, the object of the invention may be used for obtaining not only bent crankshafts but also similar mechanical parts having different shapes.

What I claim is:

1. An apparatus for forging crank shafts and similar elements starting from a blank having enlargements for the positioning of the webs of the crank to be forged comprising a base having a longitudinal slide, two cradles sliding upon said slide having slopes on both sides, lower clamps located between said slopes designed to support the blank on both sides of two consecutive enlargements of the latter, a cross bar having slopes opposite to those of said cradles supported upon the slopes of said cradles, upper clamps corresponding respectively to said lower clamps, hydraulic cylinders carried by said cross bar, looking pistons in said cylinders connected to said upper clamps by an element sliding with relation to said clamps, calibrated valves controlling the exhaust from said cylinders, an upper central swage fixed to said cross bar to act upon said blank between two consecutive enlargements, a lower swage located opposite to said upper swage, a piston carrying said lower swage, a hydraulic cylinder for said piston in said base and a cali- 7 larated valve "controlling the exhaust .from this latter cylinder.

2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 comprising hydraulic cylinders carried by said upper cross -ba'r'with return pistons fbr'th'e upper clamps connected to said sliding element connecting the upper clamps to "their locking pistons.

3. Anapparatus as set forth in claim 1 comp'risin'g 'in said ba's'e longitudinal hydraulic cylinders with return pistons which are'eoiin'eoted each respectively to one of said cradles.

4. An apparatus as set forth in claim '1 comprising in said base hydraulic cylinders with return pistons connected to said lower swage in order to raise it.

5. -Ai1 apparatus as set forth in claim 1 comprising lower clamps and upper clamps which have h'olIo'ws -f0'r receiving the cranks already forged in any orientation desired with relation to the working plane of the apparatus.

FRANCOIS MELEY.

8 ,IREFERENCES orrran file -of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Number Name Date Thomas et a1 Dec. 5, I893 Warner v Sept. 1, 1914 Warner May 2, 19.16 Nierhaus Mar. "19, 1935 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain Oct/6, 1860 France Mar. 28, .1935 

